From Rome to Byzantium AD 363 to 565

Outlines the significant developments in the period AD 363 to 565These centuries witnessed a number of momentous changes in the character of the Roman empire. Most obviously, control of the west was lost during the fifth century, and although parts of the west were reconquered in the sixth century, the empire's centre of gravity had shifted irrevocably to the east, with its focal point now the city of Constantinople. Equally important was the increasing dominance of Christianity not only in religious life, but also in politics, society and culture. A. D. Lee charts these and other significant developments which marked the transformation of Ancient Rome into medieval Byzantium. By no means only a story of decline and fall, it also explores the reasons for the resilience of the east, as well as Rome's legacy to the emerging medieval world.Key features:' draws together the threads of 'Roman' history up to this point' also points the way forward to the developments, both in the east and the west of the former Roman Empire in the centuries which followed